Building the Ideal GOP Candidate, 2012 Edition

Posted on Dec 5, 2011

This person would have populist appeal, would have bought and be willing to sell the notion that Obama is a socialist and would probably not have a clue, according to The New York Times’ clued-in columnist Paul Krugman. Yes, we’re talking about the prototype for the GOP presidential hopeful of tomorrow—as in 2012. But do any of the prospects fit the mold? Read on. —KA

Paul Krugman in The New York Times:

Think about what it takes to be a viable Republican candidate today. You have to denounce Big Government and high taxes without alienating the older voters who were the key to G.O.P. victories last year — and who, even as they declare their hatred of government, will balk at any hint of cuts to Social Security and Medicare (death panels!).

And you also have to denounce President Obama, who enacted a Republican-designed health reform and killed Osama bin Laden, as a radical socialist who is undermining American security.

So what kind of politician can meet these basic G.O.P. requirements? There are only two ways to make the cut: to be totally cynical or to be totally clueless.